Journalist
FRANCISCA QUÁDRIO
Welcome to My Journalism Portfolio
Hard-working professional looking into starting a career as a journalist. I am passionate, creative and an avid team leader. My interests include women’s rights, culture, fashion, beauty and health. I have three years of experience as a journalist in different levels of management. I am fluent in English and Portuguese.
My Blog of Self-Published Work:
https://franciscaquadrio.wordpress.com/
PUBLICATIONS
As a journalist and creative writer I look to the world around me for fresh inspiration. Each project I work on is a unique and fulfilling experience. With a few years of experience and love of the written word, I am able to adapt my writing style to suit my needs, whatever the industry and project type, without losing my artistic voice. I invite you to peruse a selection of my most recent work.
SAVE TIME IN THE KITCHEN WITH THESE DELICIOUS MEAL PREP RECIPES
February 2021
After a long day of work, it can be inconvenient to have to cook dinner and wash up when all you want to do is put your feet up and watch Netflix. Meal prep makes this so much easier and allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy your evenings. So, to help you get started, here are my favourite meal prep recipes at the moment.
THE DOS AND DON’TS OF A 2020 CHRISTMAS
December 2020
This Christmas, due to the pandemic, many families aren't able to meet. My family is one of them and being away has sparked lots of worries about my Christmas plans. So, I decided to write a guide of dos and don’ts to ensure our celebrations can go as smoothly as possible.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON MEALS AND HELP REDUCE FOOD WASTE IN LEICESTER
October 2020
Fancy a carvery dinner for less than £4 or a big box of sushi for £3.50? App and social impact company Too Good To Go has partnered up with local restaurants in order to reduce food waste. By downloading the app you can get delicious food for a fraction of the original price. At the same time, you are helping the planet and supporting local businesses. The people at Too Good To Go have made it their personal mission to create a movement against food waste.
A NEW ABORTION RULING: THE POLISH NIGHTMARE CONTINUES
October 2020
Last Thursday, Poland’s rightwing Law and Justice (PiS) party ruled a near-total ban on abortions, restraining once again women’s sexual and reproductive rights. I spoke to Zuzanna Romańska, MA Gender Studies student, who was born and raised in Poland, about her feelings on the subject. Since the ruling has passed, she has been constantly protesting and raising awareness on social media.
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LGBTQ+ ADOPTIONS: A MYTHBUSTING SESSION WITH PACT - THIIIRD MAGAZINE
October 2020
In the last 6 years adoption numbers have fallen by 37%. More than 4,000 children are waiting to be adopted in the UK, many of whom will remain in foster care long term. With a surge in queer couples’ adoptions, the LGBTQ+ community are increasingly giving children stable homes. However, even though LGBTQ+ adoption has been supported by government legislation since 2002, many LGBTQ+ couples still face societal discrimination, including harmful lies and myths that demonise their intentions and capability as parents. Weary, many potential adopters rule themselves out before they even begin their journey.
THE FEELING OF SAUDADE AND HOW WE ALL FELT IT DURING LOCKDOWN
October 2020
The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted millions of people all over the world, triggering many dramatic changes in our lives. It closed our pubs, our shops, our cities and stopped us from living a regular life for so long. It was nothing like we’ve never experienced before. It left us all with a knot in our throats, seeing the numbers rise on our TV screens, unable to meet the ones we love. It left us with saudade, such an indescribable but real feeling.
SPOOKY MOVIES YOU CAN WATCH ON YOUR OWN - THE DEMON MAGAZINE
October 2020
There’s nothing better than celebrating the spooky season curled up on the sofa with a massive bag of popcorn, a scary movie and your friends. This year, due to the circumstances we’re experiencing, Halloween might feel a bit different, especially if you live on your own. Still, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Whether you’re spending the night solo or with just a couple of friends, there are some great Halloween movies that won’t scare your socks off.
I’M REDUCING MY MAKE-UP ROUTINE WASTE AND HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD TOO - THE DEMON
July 2020
With four months of free time during lockdown, I found myself looking into how I could improve my lifestyle. I started exercising more, taking bigger walks and eating healthier. Yet, a better lifestyle isn’t just about self-care, it’s also about caring for others and the planet. So, this week, I decided to have a go and try EarthBits’ reusable make-up pads and all I can say is that I’m never going back to disposable ones.
CODE RED: I CAN’T AFFORD TO WEAR A PAD
June 20, 2020
For the past decades, people who menstruate have lived with the idea that there are only two options when it comes to periods: tampons and pads. Yet, Sian Hickey’s period-proof collection proves that there are other safe, comfortable and even environmentally friendlier options.
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WHY WE SHOULD BE REACHING OUT TO MOTHERS AND BIRTHING PEOPLE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH - THIIIRD MAGAZINE
May 2020
Pregnant people and new parents are at a much higher risk of experiencing mental disorders and now more than ever during this time of isolation and lesser resources, it is so important to raise awareness of this issue and check in on the wellbeing of new and expecting parents.
COME FLY WITH MUM: TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH YOUR KIDS - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
Many people believe that motherhood means the end of adventure travelling. But it doesn’t and Cristina Lourinho, 51, is proof. Cristina has two children, Viriato, 20, and Caetana,16.They have been travelling with their mother since they were babies.
THE FIVE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TECH - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
The IT and technology industry has always been male-dominated. Employers have noticed that there seems to be a lack of women entering the tech sector. And this inequality often starts at school. Tech- nology subjects have the tendency to be aimed at men, which leads many women to choose alternative subjects. Yet, it has been studied by several researchers that more than 80% of women believe the industry would benefit from being more gender-equal.
THE POWER OF HELPING OTHERS - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
Helping others can light a fire inside you and take you places you have never been before. Fatimath Bawa-Allah is proof that the best way to live life is to get up and do something. At only 26, she has already left a mark on many people’s lives across the globe.
4 TABOOS ABOUT WOMEN’S BODIES THAT NEED TO END - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
For centuries, women have been fed lists of do’s and don’ts, things they should feel pride or shame for. Although these lists have changed throughout the years, some ideals regarding women’s appearance have become so engraved into society. No matter how much we try they’re proving to be hard to change. Here is a list of some of these ideals or taboos that still surround women’s bodies and needto be brought to an end.
APRIL SHOWERS ALWAYS BRING MAY FLOWERS - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
Born and raised in Hinckley, May has always been popular around the community. She is the face and
proud owner of May’s Cafe, established at the Burbage Common. At eighty-eight, she has lived a full, happy life and her story could not be more inspiring.
PERIOD POVERTY: IT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
Period poverty is still a problem in the UK with one in ten girls not being able to access sanitary products. Students have even started missing school due to this issue. According to Plan International UK’s research, forty-nine per cent of women have missed an entireday of school and fifty-nine per cent have lied or made up an excuse for it. That is around 137,700 children per year. All due to period poverty.
BADASS NAMES TO CALL YOUR DAUGHTER - IMPERIUM MAGAZINE
May 2020
Deciding on a name for your baby can be extremely overwhelming. There is a lot that comes with it. And adding to all
the possibilities you’ve considered, your family and friends will bombard you with more. There are many ways you can choose their name, but the most important factor is that you love it. Because there is no right or wrong way to choose a name for your child. If you are feeling the pressure, don’t worry! Here is a list of badass names to call your daughter, inspired by extraordinary women that have made an impact on the world.
THE LONDON TUBE PODCAST
March 2020
Are you a tube regular? An avid rider of the busy carriages? If so, then this podcast is for you. Each episode will tell you a story set in the London Underground. From imaginary friends and ghosts to love stories and teenage escapades, there is something for everyone.
This is the perfect podcast to listen to when you commute but if you get hooked, don’t worry, you can also tune in at home!
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: SHOULD YOU BUY THAT GYM MEMBERSHIP? - THE DEMON
January 2020
A new decade is starting and with it comes the most important years of our lives: the start of adulthood. January is the ideal time to come up with resolutions for this decade. Maybe you want to get a job you love, start a family, or be healthier. There are a lot of wishes people make every start of a year, yet losing weight or going to the gym seems like it’s on everyone’s lists.
5 FOODS THAT WILL KEEP YOU WARM THIS WINTER - THE DEMON
December 2019
Winter is a time of comfort, of delicious food and warmth. It’s a time of wearing layers and more layers, of blankets, of snuggling by the fireplace with a hot chocolate. But what if I told you that certain foods can keep you extra warm this winter?
SIX OF THE BEST PLACES TO TUCK INTO GLUTEN-FREE PIZZAS IN LEICESTER - LEICESTER MERCURY
November, 9 2019
Gluten-free diets can be tricky, especially when eating out or ordering in.
It takes time to research different restaurants and their menus to find the perfect dish. But there are plenty of restaurants which have taken gluten-free into consideration and have created tasty recipes, so you can also enjoy a good old slice of pizza. Here's our pick of the ones that take some topping!
HOW TO COPE WITH IBS AT UNIVERSITY - THE TAB
November 9, 2019
You've been working on that project for weeks and it’s finally time to submit it. Suddenly, your gut is hit with sharp pain. You run to the toilet, hand on your belly, the pain is just unbearable. First, the toilet door doesn’t close, which forces you to hold it with your free hand. Then, after 10 minutes of intense pain, you reach out and… there's no loo roll. Luckily, you always carry tissues. You're back at your table, ready to submit, eager to have this endless project done with. You look at the clock, it’s 12:05 – and you’ve missed your deadline.
YOUNGSTERS UNITED IN REMEMBRANCE - LEICESTER
November 2019
Seven schools have got together to
produce art inspired by Remem-
brance Day, writes Francisca Quad-
rio. The Coalville Collaborative
involved about 250 year six students
from Whitwick St John, Swanning-
ton, All Saints, Hugglescote, Warren
Hills, Thringstone and New Swan-
nington primary schools.
Q&A WITH CALUM JONES ON HIS UPCOMING SINGLE ‘READY OR NOT’ - THE DEMON
October 17, 2019
Calum Jones (19) is an engaging young singer-songwriter from the Highlands of Scotland. His lyrics are emotive and thought-provoking as his musical style is drawn from folk, indie, pop, traditional & Celtic rock influences.
7 BLACK ATHLETES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - THE DEMON
October, 2019
Could you imagine track and field without Usain Bolt and Mo Farah? Or tennis without the Williams sisters? I find that pretty hard to do as they have marked their presence in the world of sports. But there was a time where black athletes were being segregated. This fortunately ended by the works of the civil rights movement and of black athletes that fought for their place. Below is a list of some of these athletes that fought for an equal and better world and set an example for others to come.
4 SUGAR-FREE TREATS TO SERVE AT YOUR NEXT HALLOWEEN PARTY - THE DEMON
October 2019
We all know that Halloween is a holiday dedicated to dressing up with your friends, partying and eating excessive amounts of sweets. This year consider adding a few healthier recipes to your sugary Halloween snack table. We’ve collected four recipes you can create to impress your friends.
SHOPPING LOCAL HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER: INDEPENDENT LEICESTER INITIATIVE - THE DEMON
October 7, 2019
BID Leicester has launched ‘Independent Leicester’, a new exciting campaign in partnership with local independent businesses. It was designed to encourage consumers to shop local and explore Leicester’s independent scene.
FRESHERS FASHION: WHAT TO WEAR FOR LECTURES - THE DEMON
September 2019
Even though we have all been through ‘the first day of school’ countless times, it never gets easier. It’s a big change: new friends, new environment, new responsibilities. There is so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming. I am here to ease your fashion related stress with a list of what to wear to lectures.
BE A SUSTAINABLE FOODIE AT SELFRIDGES BIRMINGHAM - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
If you are a fan of drinking a good old summer cocktail under the sun or you are into delicious Japanese food, Selfridges Birmingham is just the place for you. By reinventing their menus, some of its leading food and restaurant brands took a more sustainable turn.
THE FIVE THINGS YOUR MAKE-UP ARTIST WISHES YOU KNEW - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
The world of cosmetics is constantly changing and after a while it gets hard to keep up.
Concerned about the wrong information travelling through social media and online websites, expert make up artist Viorela Coman has created a helpful list of beauty related myths and facts.
IS IT FAKE NEWS OR JUST ANOTHER ONE OF MR. PRESIDENT'S OUTRAGEOUS QUOTES? - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
Trump Cards is a new hilarious card game where, in order to win, the players need to separate fact from fiction and decide whether a number of insane quotes are attributed to President Trump or whether they are just “Fake News, Folks!”. It is the ideal game for parties, family gatherings and festive fun.
GET READY FOR A NEW ERA OF DIGITAL FASHION AT SELFRIGES BIRMINGHAM - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
Selfridges Birmingham is launching a digital summer campaign which features stunning installations from innovative artists. The New Order, created by a group of leading digital-first creatives and image-makers, challenges how we interact with and consume fashion products and asks us to rethink the way we shop, both on and offline.
14 HAND LUGGAGE ESSENTIALS FOR A LONG FLIGHT -
August 2019
Packing for your holiday is stressful enough and heading on a long-haul flight can seem a necessary evil but their are some essentials you can keep at hand to keep you you feeling fresh and ready for your trip. The experts at MyBaggage.com share with us the long flight essentials to pack in your hand luggage.
CARLUCCIOS ADD AN ITALIAN TWIST TO NEW VEGAN CROISSANTS - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
Who doesn’t love a flaky pastry with their morning coffee? I know I do and there is for many Vegans, saying goodbye to these buttery treats is far from easy which is why Carluccio’s are introducing the new Croissant Vegano and Saccottini al Cioccolato, available nationwide now.
SURFS UP IN BIRMINGHAM AT THE OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour hits Birmingham this September and is a must for all water sports and aquatics fans. The Ocean Film Festival features a carefully curated collection of short films delving into all aspects of the world’s oceans, from mind-boggling marine life to intrepid seafaring adventures.
NOTTINGHAM YOUTH HAVE FOUND A CREATIVE WAY TO EXPLORE MENTAL HEALTH - SIXTYNINEDEGREES
August 2019
Over the years, talking about Mental Health has become less of a taboo, yet it’s still a hard subject to discuss. This is why young people from Nottingham took a more creative approach to explore the subject in a inspirational music project called Circle of Light.
FOUR BRANDS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR WARDROBE MORE SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL - THE DEMON
February 9, 2019
Have you thought about how your clothes and beauty products are made or where they come from?
In 2019, people are becoming more aware of what is put in and on their bodies as they aim for a better and healthier life. The rise of the cruelty-free campaign was followed by fair trade and sustainability concerns when consuming.
NEW YEAR, NEW ME, NEW LOOK - THE DEMON
January, 2019
Setting realistic goals is a very important process of a new beginning. You need to create a vision that will guide you throughout the year, keeping you motivated and focused. It is vital to remember about challenging yourself and embracing change.
The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect about the past and set goals for the coming one.
THE BEST WINTER ACCESSORIES OF 2018 - THE DEMON
December, 2018
Winter is knocking on our doors and we are all excited for nights around the fire and warm soup, or in our case, camping near the radiator and eating ramen noodles.
Nevertheless, it is important to wear appropriate winter clothing. We have all been through that rebellious phase of our lives when our mums tell us to take a coat and an umbrella and we end up ill because we walked home in the cold pouring rain.
So here are a few accessories that will keep you warm and comfortable.
YOUR LAST RESOLUTION: CLEAN MAKE-UP BRUSHES - THE DEMON
November 24, 2018
December is a few weeks away, meaning it’s the last month we have to fulfil all of our New Year’s resolutions. If you are like me one resolution is never enough, and some of them are quite unachievable. A lot of us wish for better skin, better grades and better weather. Even though the latter is uncontrollable, the first one can definitely be achieved these last few months of the year.
TOO FACED CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - THE DEMON
November 20, 2018
Christmas is that time of the year where happiness prevails. All of the stress from university and work disappear and leave space to relax and spend time with your family. It is time for giving, not only to others but also to you. Pamper yourself this Christmas with Too Faced’s festive collection and enjoy the most beautiful time of the year.
LEICESTER CELEBRATES THE HINDU HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLOUR THIS WEEKEND AT ABBEY PARK - LEICESTERSHIRE PRESS
February, 2018
Unleash the child in you this Saturday (March 3) and go to Abbey Park to celebrate the Holi festival in Leicester, from 12pm to 4pm.
This event is the perfect family activity providing an energising blend of culture with exciting activities and action-packed entertainment.
TOP 5 RED LIPS THIS CHRISTMAS - THE DEMON
December 28, 2017
Red lipsticks are a makeup lover’s best friend. Ranging from elegant to bold, it is frequently used in different makeup looks, especially at this time of the year. A Christmas look is never complete without a pop of red. These 5 lipsticks are the top best ones to buy for this season.
FUR: FEROCIOUS OR FASHIONABLE? - THE DEMON
December 27, 2017
Winter is coming so it’s the perfect time to wear our comfy and warm clothes, especially this year with the return of fur. We saw it in all of the runways. It’s been used in coats (like the vibrant purple one by Preen), skirts, socks, handbags, slippers and much more. Brands like Prada and Shrimps brought it back fierce and colourfully. Cheaper high street brands such as H&M, Top Shop, New Look, ASOS and Primark also filled their stores with the furry clothing trend. Prices range from £5 for simple accessories to £400 for fluffy coats!
MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS
These are some of the magazines, newspapers and online platforms I have had my articles published.
"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale"
Hans Christian Andersen
CONTACT
Leicester, UK
